Introduction
Owlwarts Elementary School Library has had an operating school library website since 2005. It has proved to be an effective instructional tool providing online access to library information and resources. The Librarian has been responsible for creating and maintaining the website. Ongoing assessment of the library website’s effectiveness now shows that improvements to the library webpage are needed to allow the site to be updated more quickly and easily to meet student needs, to provide better organization and navigation, to better incorporate new Web 2.0 technologies, and to invite greater collaboration between the Librarian and fellow teachers. This spring, a planning committee was formed to examine the existing Owlwarts Elementary Library website and make a recommendation for a new online presence that will incorporate the Library’s goals and serve as a more functional and collaborative space for the school community. It is the committee’s recommendation that a new website be designed for Owlwarts Elementary Library using a wiki platform (see model). This proposal will detail the group’s findings and recommendations.
Description of a Wiki
A wiki is a website which can be edited through a web browser. It provides an easy-to-use collaborative platform for editing and can easily incorporate many Web 2.0 technologies. Users do not need to know specialized markup languages such as HTML to edit, interlink pages, add images, widgets, or imbed video and screencasts. When in editing mode, wiki software programs have the same familiar look as word processing software. Wikis do not need to be hosted on a server. This means anyone with editing permission can make additions and edits to web pages just by saving their work. There are several companies which offer basic wiki software packages for free. Ease of editing, freedom from servers, and low cost make wikis popular platforms for collaborative projects. Collaborative projects can easily evolve into destination websites like Wikipedia; a collaborative encyclopedia created by volunteers.
Explanation of Service
A new wiki will serve as the library website and will include, but not be limited to, the following elements: · A home page containing a link to the online public access catalog (OPAC), district databases, and links to student and teacher/grade level wiki pages. · A page dedicated to Pathfinders developed in cooperation between teachers and the Librarian. Pathfinders will assist students in their research and completion of classroom projects and will provide students with organized access to appropriate print and web resources, databases, and technology tools. In addition, Pathfinders will be aligned to the California Content Standards. · A student page providing a space with easy access to the OPAC and general research tools. In addition, links to appropriate educational web sites will be provided to encourage independent browsing and exploration by students. · Dedicated teacher page(s) providing the space and means for teachers to collaborate and share information. Initially, the page will be dedicated to encouraging teachers to develop Pathfinders in collaboration with the Librarian and as a space to explore new Technology Tools suggested by the Librarian. An online calendar will allow teachers to schedule library time or book an appointment to collaborate with the Librarian. As teachers begin to feel more experienced with use of the wiki, this area will be expanded to allow teachers to share content with each other. · Technology Tools for students and teachers. This page will be dedicated to encouraging teachers and students to incorporate new technology tools into the curriculum. Recommended Tech Tools will be shared here along with tutorials and sample uses. As teachers begin to make greater use of these tools, they will be encouraged to share their best practices here. In addition, the Tech Tools page will include information on the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), resources for Cyber Safety instruction, and links to district technology policies.
Benefits of a Wiki
A wiki is a powerful collaborative tool that allows students, teachers, and librarians to share information, work together, and compile resources asynchronously. Although the library currently has a web site, converting the library site to a wiki will enhance library services by making the library web site a hub of collaboration, allowing participation from students, teachers, and the Librarian instead of relying entirely on a single site administrator. For students, a wiki can provide high quality library resources developed by both the Librarian and their classroom teachers that can be easily updated to meet their needs.
The teaching community stands to benefit from a wiki in a number of ways. A wiki: · Serves as a knowledge repository for lessons and best practices. A wiki enables documentation of discussion and learning of recently developed Professional Learning Committees (PLCs). · Enables collaboration across grades and with specialty instructors (e.g., computer, library, art, music, and p.e.) · Preserves teacher knowledge and best practices beyond the tenure of individual teachers. · Improves teacher transition between grades and knowledge sharing with new colleagues. · Allowing asynchronous collaboration – no meetings required! Teachers can update and review the wiki as permitted by their schedule. · Facilitates adoption and use of technology by providing procedures, examples, lessons, and ideas on how to support and extend instruction with technology. · Documents that can be easily printed up and distributed (such as forms for student permission on the internet and guides for different software use or lists of websites to be sent home) can all be uploaded to this portion of the wiki for easy and central access.
A wiki will support student learning by: · Providing high quality library resources that support student achievement of the content standards. · Provide the opportunity for student engagement with the library through technology. · Provides opportunities for students to develop technology competencies that align with the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS).
Evidence
There are numerous school libraries providing best practice models for successful school library websites using wiki platforms. The team reviewed the following school library websites and noted successful elements to consider in the design of the Owlwarts Library website:
Examples and discussion of school library web presence are also available in the School Library Web Presence Webinar that was held on the TL (Teacher Librarian) Virtual Cafe.
Challenges
There are a number of potential obstacles to implementing a library wiki at an elementary school. Issues might include: lack of teacher and staff time for wiki training and maintenance, lack of funds for wiki and other technology training, lack of time for collaboration, limited culture of collaboration, and school district internet filter. Administrative support for use of technology, collaboration, and professional development are critical for success.
Solutions
Although there are indeed many potential roadblocks to a library wiki implementation, with great effort, planning, and communication these challenges can be overcome. Pre-implementation: · Wiki participation to start with a small sample. The Librarian will identify and coordinate a small Planning Team to assist in the design and pilot the new wiki in the spring before the fall schoolwide launch. The Librarian will identify one grade level or two teachers who have already eagerly adopted new technologies and have demonstrated an existing culture of collaboration. · The Librarian will add specific Library content and basic design as determined by the Planning Team, and at least two teacher pages/project pathfinders will be designed and tested with students. · Planning meetings will review progress on the wiki’s design and tests with students. The Planning Team will also discuss specific library and classroom needs and how the wiki can eventually expand to meet all site needs. · The Librarian will work with the school’s EdTech Profile coordinator and obtain a copy of the site’s report from the Teacher Survey. Findings in the survey should be used where appropriate to assist with wiki design and planning of trainings. · Early communication to administration will help establish support for the wiki and will inform administration of how the wiki will support teachers’ instruction of the standards and students’ academic achievement. Communication will also help identify ongoing professional development and collaboration time. Collaboration with IT staff will also need to take place to make them aware of the wiki and its goals, determine filtering issues and access, and develop a policy for reporting filter issues in order to ensure that they get resolved expeditiously. · The Librarian will also conduct the first teacher surveys in order to gain baseline data to assist in monitoring the wiki’s future effectiveness.
Implementation: · The Librarian will provide training to staff on the use of the wiki at a pre-fall inservice. Demonstration time will be provided as well as time for teachers to create individual log-ins and explore the wiki with the Planning Team teachers present to provide additional support and encouragement. · The Librarian will work closely with teachers, especially during early implementation, to support them as they become new wiki users through collaborative lesson planning, design, instructional delivery, and assessment of student projects that make use of the wiki. · Assess teachers’ early needs and interests to plan future workshop and training topics.
On-going Use: · Offer one-on-one support by Librarian for teachers who would like more assistance. · Provide monthly after school workshops and encourage teachers to attend. · Encourage teachers to share best practice examples of use of the wiki and promote success stories. · Regularly maintain, monitor, and evaluate the wiki and make revisions as necessary.
Eventually: · Continue to look at ways to expand use of the wiki to involve greater student collaboration. · Bring the success story of the library wiki to the district educational technology committee meeting to share with others in the district.
Recommended Wiki Platform
The team reviewed and tested several popular wiki solutions.The team ultimately recommended Wikispaces as the best solution for Owlwarts Elementary. Wikispaces is affordable, easy to edit, and offers users several different collaborative tools.
Cost: Wikispaces offers users four different package options. These packages include Basic which is free, Plus which is $5.00 a month, Super which is $20.00 a month and Private which is $1,000 a year. Each upgrade has more to offer the user such as greater file storage, customization, security, permissions, own domain name and web support. The Basic package offers enough features to get our wiki started. If we choose to upgrade, we will not be charged an extra fee.
Ease of Use: In editing mode wiki spaces has the look and feel of any word processing software. Anyone with experience creating a Word document can easily edit text on a Wikispace page. Files can be uploaded from any computer directly on to wiki pages. This is as easy as attaching a document to an email. Widgets can be added to wiki pages simply by copy and pasting the HTML into the wiki page. Wikispaces provides simple step by step instructions and video tutorials for new users. Tutorials are available for every package including the Basic package.
Collaboration: Wikispaces allows even Basic users to create an unlimited amount of pages. It is easy to invite users to the wiki. Page histories save all previous versions of pages. Each page has a discussion forum. Users can keep track of changes using RSS or email updates. It is possible to create tags and display a tag cloud.
Customization: Customization is limited with the Basic package but the ability to add widgets and images still allows for options to create an original and dynamic wiki.
Ongoing Maintenance, Support, and Training
In order to regularly monitor wiki activity, the Librarian will set up an RSS feed. This feed will immediately notify the librarian about new changes and discussions on the wiki. The librarian will respond to changes and discussions as needed. For example, due to file size limitations the librarian may need to go into a teacher page and compress an image that is taking up too much file space on the wiki.
The librarian will establish policies for use of the wiki which will include appropriate etiquette for wiki discussions. The librarian will regularly monitor and moderate when any issues arise.
Monthly maintenance will include monitoring uploaded file sizes and making needed adjustments, updating hyperlinks as necessary, verifying widgets are operating correctly, and monitoring wiki usage statistics.
Initial training to introduce the wiki will be provided to staff at a scheduled teacher inservice day preceding the start of school in the fall. Additional afterschool workshops will be scheduled monthly to provide direct support for hands-on use of the wiki, to provide training on additional technologies which support the wiki (use of images, widgets, etc.), to model best-practice use of the wiki, to provide training on copyright issues and online safety topics that relate to the use of the wiki, and to provide as-needed refresher training.
Assessment
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the wiki and to determine modifications in design and training, it is important to assess the impact of the wiki on an on-going basis. Assessment will take place in the following ways
A preliminary review of the school’s EdTech Profile Teacher Survey report should be made during the pre-implementation phase to help determine specific teacher needs, technology levels, and other information that might be important in the planning and design of the wiki. The Librarian will work with the school’s EdTech Profile coordinator to annually review the survey and monitor growth in areas of use of technology to support the curriculum, teacher technology proficiency, teachers’ preferences for training, and other information as it may relate to the ongoing use and assessment of the wiki. The Librarian will also conduct an annual supplemental survey of teachers on their use of the wiki and ask them to report any roadblocks they encountered and recommendations they would make.
Wiki History: Usage data will be collected monthly and will include the number of updates and additions by teachers and students to the wiki and the how often the wiki is accessed.
Student work: At least twice a year, the librarian will examine student work that is a result of a pathfinder/research project that makes use of the wiki.
Communication: Formally and informally, through conversations, emails, and curriculum planning meetings, the librarian will note comments made regarding both successes and struggles teachers and students are having in regards to the wiki.
Report to Stakeholders: Annually, the Librarian will share the above data with the Library Advisory Committee in order to evaluate ongoing effectiveness and plan necessary improvements. The Librarian will include wiki assessment data and findings in the annual end of year Library report made to the Board of Education.
Introduction
Owlwarts Elementary School Library has had an operating school library website since 2005. It has proved to be an effective instructional tool providing online access to library information and resources. The Librarian has been responsible for creating and maintaining the website. Ongoing assessment of the library website’s effectiveness now shows that improvements to the library webpage are needed to allow the site to be updated more quickly and easily to meet student needs, to provide better organization and navigation, to better incorporate new Web 2.0 technologies, and to invite greater collaboration between the Librarian and fellow teachers. This spring, a planning committee was formed to examine the existing Owlwarts Elementary Library website and make a recommendation for a new online presence that will incorporate the Library’s goals and serve as a more functional and collaborative space for the school community. It is the committee’s recommendation that a new website be designed for Owlwarts Elementary Library using a wiki platform (see model). This proposal will detail the group’s findings and recommendations.
Description of a Wiki
A wiki is a website which can be edited through a web browser. It provides an easy-to-use collaborative platform for editing and can easily incorporate many Web 2.0 technologies. Users do not need to know specialized markup languages such as HTML to edit, interlink pages, add images, widgets, or imbed video and screencasts. When in editing mode, wiki software programs have the same familiar look as word processing software. Wikis do not need to be hosted on a server. This means anyone with editing permission can make additions and edits to web pages just by saving their work. There are several companies which offer basic wiki software packages for free. Ease of editing, freedom from servers, and low cost make wikis popular platforms for collaborative projects. Collaborative projects can easily evolve into destination websites like Wikipedia; a collaborative encyclopedia created by volunteers.
Explanation of Service
A new wiki will serve as the library website and will include, but not be limited to, the following elements:
· A home page containing a link to the online public access catalog (OPAC), district databases, and links to student and teacher/grade level wiki pages.
· A page dedicated to Pathfinders developed in cooperation between teachers and the Librarian. Pathfinders will assist students in their research and completion of classroom projects and will provide students with organized access to appropriate print and web resources, databases, and technology tools. In addition, Pathfinders will be aligned to the California Content Standards.
· A student page providing a space with easy access to the OPAC and general research tools. In addition, links to appropriate educational web sites will be provided to encourage independent browsing and exploration by students.
· Dedicated teacher page(s) providing the space and means for teachers to collaborate and share information. Initially, the page will be dedicated to encouraging teachers to develop Pathfinders in collaboration with the Librarian and as a space to explore new Technology Tools suggested by the Librarian. An online calendar will allow teachers to schedule library time or book an appointment to collaborate with the Librarian. As teachers begin to feel more experienced with use of the wiki, this area will be expanded to allow teachers to share content with each other.
· Technology Tools for students and teachers. This page will be dedicated to encouraging teachers and students to incorporate new technology tools into the curriculum. Recommended Tech Tools will be shared here along with tutorials and sample uses. As teachers begin to make greater use of these tools, they will be encouraged to share their best practices here. In addition, the Tech Tools page will include information on the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), resources for Cyber Safety instruction, and links to district technology policies.
Benefits of a Wiki
A wiki is a powerful collaborative tool that allows students, teachers, and librarians to share information, work together, and compile resources asynchronously. Although the library currently has a web site, converting the library site to a wiki will enhance library services by making the library web site a hub of collaboration, allowing participation from students, teachers, and the Librarian instead of relying entirely on a single site administrator. For students, a wiki can provide high quality library resources developed by both the Librarian and their classroom teachers that can be easily updated to meet their needs.
The teaching community stands to benefit from a wiki in a number of ways. A wiki:
· Serves as a knowledge repository for lessons and best practices. A wiki enables documentation of discussion and learning of recently developed Professional Learning Committees (PLCs).
· Enables collaboration across grades and with specialty instructors (e.g., computer, library, art, music, and p.e.)
· Preserves teacher knowledge and best practices beyond the tenure of individual teachers.
· Improves teacher transition between grades and knowledge sharing with new colleagues.
· Allowing asynchronous collaboration – no meetings required! Teachers can update and review the wiki as permitted by their schedule.
· Facilitates adoption and use of technology by providing procedures, examples, lessons, and ideas on how to support and extend instruction with technology.
· Documents that can be easily printed up and distributed (such as forms for student permission on the internet and guides for different software use or lists of websites to be sent home) can all be uploaded to this portion of the wiki for easy and central access.
A wiki will support student learning by:
· Providing high quality library resources that support student achievement of the content standards.
· Provide the opportunity for student engagement with the library through technology.
· Provides opportunities for students to develop technology competencies that align with the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS).
Evidence
There are numerous school libraries providing best practice models for successful school library websites using wiki platforms. The team reviewed the following school library websites and noted successful elements to consider in the design of the Owlwarts Library website:
Sheehy, G. (2009, February 2). The wiki as knowledge repository: Using a wiki in a community of practice to strengthen K-12 education. Retrieved April 12, 2010, from http://ateacherswrites.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/the-wiki-as-knowledge-repository-using-a-wiki-in-a-community-of-practice-to-strengthen-k-12-education.
Examples and discussion of school library web presence are also available in the School Library Web Presence Webinar that was held on the TL (Teacher Librarian) Virtual Cafe.
Challenges
There are a number of potential obstacles to implementing a library wiki at an elementary school. Issues might include: lack of teacher and staff time for wiki training and maintenance, lack of funds for wiki and other technology training, lack of time for collaboration, limited culture of collaboration, and school district internet filter. Administrative support for use of technology, collaboration, and professional development are critical for success.
Solutions
Although there are indeed many potential roadblocks to a library wiki implementation, with great effort, planning, and communication these challenges can be overcome.
Pre-implementation:
· Wiki participation to start with a small sample. The Librarian will identify and coordinate a small Planning Team to assist in the design and pilot the new wiki in the spring before the fall schoolwide launch. The Librarian will identify one grade level or two teachers who have already eagerly adopted new technologies and have demonstrated an existing culture of collaboration.
· The Librarian will add specific Library content and basic design as determined by the Planning Team, and at least two teacher pages/project pathfinders will be designed and tested with students.
· Planning meetings will review progress on the wiki’s design and tests with students. The Planning Team will also discuss specific library and classroom needs and how the wiki can eventually expand to meet all site needs.
· The Librarian will work with the school’s EdTech Profile coordinator and obtain a copy of the site’s report from the Teacher Survey. Findings in the survey should be used where appropriate to assist with wiki design and planning of trainings.
· Early communication to administration will help establish support for the wiki and will inform administration of how the wiki will support teachers’ instruction of the standards and students’ academic achievement. Communication will also help identify ongoing professional development and collaboration time. Collaboration with IT staff will also need to take place to make them aware of the wiki and its goals, determine filtering issues and access, and develop a policy for reporting filter issues in order to ensure that they get resolved expeditiously.
· The Librarian will also conduct the first teacher surveys in order to gain baseline data to assist in monitoring the wiki’s future effectiveness.
Implementation:
· The Librarian will provide training to staff on the use of the wiki at a pre-fall inservice. Demonstration time will be provided as well as time for teachers to create individual log-ins and explore the wiki with the Planning Team teachers present to provide additional support and encouragement.
· The Librarian will work closely with teachers, especially during early implementation, to support them as they become new wiki users through collaborative lesson planning, design, instructional delivery, and assessment of student projects that make use of the wiki.
· Assess teachers’ early needs and interests to plan future workshop and training topics.
On-going Use:
· Offer one-on-one support by Librarian for teachers who would like more assistance.
· Provide monthly after school workshops and encourage teachers to attend.
· Encourage teachers to share best practice examples of use of the wiki and promote success stories.
· Regularly maintain, monitor, and evaluate the wiki and make revisions as necessary.
Eventually:
· Continue to look at ways to expand use of the wiki to involve greater student collaboration.
· Bring the success story of the library wiki to the district educational technology committee meeting to share with others in the district.
Recommended Wiki Platform
The team reviewed and tested several popular wiki solutions. The team ultimately recommended Wikispaces as the best solution for Owlwarts Elementary. Wikispaces is affordable, easy to edit, and offers users several different collaborative tools.
Cost: Wikispaces offers users four different package options. These packages include Basic which is free, Plus which is $5.00 a month, Super which is $20.00 a month and Private which is $1,000 a year. Each upgrade has more to offer the user such as greater file storage, customization, security, permissions, own domain name and web support. The Basic package offers enough features to get our wiki started. If we choose to upgrade, we will not be charged an extra fee.
Ease of Use: In editing mode wiki spaces has the look and feel of any word processing software. Anyone with experience creating a Word document can easily edit text on a Wikispace page. Files can be uploaded from any computer directly on to wiki pages. This is as easy as attaching a document to an email. Widgets can be added to wiki pages simply by copy and pasting the HTML into the wiki page. Wikispaces provides simple step by step instructions and video tutorials for new users. Tutorials are available for every package including the Basic package.
Collaboration: Wikispaces allows even Basic users to create an unlimited amount of pages. It is easy to invite users to the wiki. Page histories save all previous versions of pages. Each page has a discussion forum. Users can keep track of changes using RSS or email updates. It is possible to create tags and display a tag cloud.
Customization: Customization is limited with the Basic package but the ability to add widgets and images still allows for options to create an original and dynamic wiki.
Ongoing Maintenance, Support, and Training
In order to regularly monitor wiki activity, the Librarian will set up an RSS feed. This feed will immediately notify the librarian about new changes and discussions on the wiki. The librarian will respond to changes and discussions as needed. For example, due to file size limitations the librarian may need to go into a teacher page and compress an image that is taking up too much file space on the wiki.
The librarian will establish policies for use of the wiki which will include appropriate etiquette for wiki discussions. The librarian will regularly monitor and moderate when any issues arise.
Monthly maintenance will include monitoring uploaded file sizes and making needed adjustments, updating hyperlinks as necessary, verifying widgets are operating correctly, and monitoring wiki usage statistics.
Initial training to introduce the wiki will be provided to staff at a scheduled teacher inservice day preceding the start of school in the fall. Additional afterschool workshops will be scheduled monthly to provide direct support for hands-on use of the wiki, to provide training on additional technologies which support the wiki (use of images, widgets, etc.), to model best-practice use of the wiki, to provide training on copyright issues and online safety topics that relate to the use of the wiki, and to provide as-needed refresher training.
Assessment
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the wiki and to determine modifications in design and training, it is important to assess the impact of the wiki on an on-going basis. Assessment will take place in the following ways
A preliminary review of the school’s EdTech Profile Teacher Survey report should be made during the pre-implementation phase to help determine specific teacher needs, technology levels, and other information that might be important in the planning and design of the wiki. The Librarian will work with the school’s EdTech Profile coordinator to annually review the survey and monitor growth in areas of use of technology to support the curriculum, teacher technology proficiency, teachers’ preferences for training, and other information as it may relate to the ongoing use and assessment of the wiki. The Librarian will also conduct an annual supplemental survey of teachers on their use of the wiki and ask them to report any roadblocks they encountered and recommendations they would make.
Wiki History: Usage data will be collected monthly and will include the number of updates and additions by teachers and students to the wiki and the how often the wiki is accessed.
Student work: At least twice a year, the librarian will examine student work that is a result of a pathfinder/research project that makes use of the wiki.
Communication: Formally and informally, through conversations, emails, and curriculum planning meetings, the librarian will note comments made regarding both successes and struggles teachers and students are having in regards to the wiki.
Report to Stakeholders: Annually, the Librarian will share the above data with the Library Advisory Committee in order to evaluate ongoing effectiveness and plan necessary improvements. The Librarian will include wiki assessment data and findings in the annual end of year Library report made to the Board of Education.